Waze feels like it's about to be merged with Google Maps – and that shouldn't happen

Earlier this week we heard reports that Google Maps was start notifying drivers of incidents reported by Waze users — launch a new level of synergy between the two Googlenavigation applications belonging to everyone. It’s not surprising, but it’s another example of the line that has blurred between the two navigation apps in the 11 years since Google took over. Waze.

There is still a very clear difference between the two services and how they navigate, but there are times when it feels like a possible merger of the two services exists. Google Maps and Waze is inevitable. At the very least, the two services could easily be so close that there would be little or no functional difference between them.

I’m not a fan of this idea and think it’s time Google took steps to make it clear that Waze and Google Maps are different products for different people. How? Keeping Google as the universal navigation app it has morphed into, and removing Waze to the point where it’s pure navigation – no extra frills.

Waze vs Google Maps: the differences right now

An Android phone running Google Maps - representing how to turn off location tracking on Android

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Currently, there is a single, clear line that defines differentiates Google Maps and Waze: Navigation. Google Maps is a service that selects a route when you load the navigation, with a few alternatives for the driver to choose from, and usually sticks to it for the duration of the trip. But if conditions on a chosen route change too much, the driver has the option to switch to a faster alternative – provided one exists.

Waze doesn’t subscribe to this same kind of rigidity. Instead, it’s more focused on getting you to your destination as quickly as possible and will change your route based on real-time road conditions. Or rather, whatever conditions he can glean from other Waze users. Waze can also be quite aggressive about this, and the running joke is that Waze would happily drive you through an active war zone if it meant shaving five seconds off your arrival time.

No matter how much data is shared between Google Maps and Waze now or in the future, it won’t change. Google Maps is a very traditional GPS navigation system, while Waze is more like a little kid who has memorized the street map and downed a few double espressos.

Another thing I noticed about Waze is that its non-browsing data isn’t always up to date. A lot of work has been done behind the scenes to allow Waze to access Google Maps’ vast catalog of data, but it’s clear that Google does some things better. Business insights are important and they likely fall to Waze which historically relies on crowdsourced-based systems.

Relying on people to report road incidents and traffic jams is one thing, but expecting them to keep local business hours up to date is something few people are touchy with to worry. This wouldn’t be so bad if all navigation apps were like Waze in this area, but Google Maps absolutely strives to keep all of this information up to date, along with countless other things.

So, rather than integrating Google Maps features into Waze and making a pseudo-clone of it that navigates a little differently, why not remove all the excess and focus on what Waze users actually like ?

How Waze can stand out and succeed

Waze conversational reports on phone

(Image credit: Google)

If you ask someone you know who uses Waze why they do it, chances are it’s because of navigation. Some may choose Waze for the design or cartoonish style of the driver icons, but a significant number will appreciate the fact that Waze prioritizes speed above all else. This is Waze’s biggest strength, and it’s something Google should focus on with this app in the future.

The best thing Waze can do is go in the opposite direction as Google Maps. Strip Down, Reduce Excess Fat, and Focus on What He Does Best

There is no longer a need to dilute the Waze and Google Maps brands by making them too similar, because there is only one way for this story to end: Waze being killed like so many other Google products and services . Even though the Waze and Google Maps teams have now merged, Google has every interest in keeping Waze – it prevents regulators from alienating each other.

While nothing really happened When Google acquired Waze in 2013, this could easily change if Waze is officially integrated into Google Maps. And the last thing the business needs is more and more antitrust cases are launched.

In reality, Google should consider sticking with Waze as an app available to drivers who need to get around and want to do it as quickly as possible. Add some information about necessary equipment like gas stations, electric vehicle chargers, rest areas, possibly mechanics too, just to emphasize that “driving app” feel. There is no need to add anything other than the absolute basics to keep the app useful.

In many ways, Waze is already like that. It doesn’t have as many features as Google Maps, and if you don’t drive a private vehicle, it’s absolutely worthless to you. It’s not like you can look up bus or train schedules, because you can’t use Waze when you’re in a machine that’s following a predefined route. The same goes for walking, because unless you’re leaving a Taylor Swift concert, you’re not likely to get stuck in a pedestrian traffic jam.

Waze of the future would be cars or motorcycles, and nothing more. This way, drivers can continue to benefit from Waze’s particularly aggressive navigation strategy, while the team behind it doesn’t get bogged down in all the trivialities and try to make the app a reskinned version. from Google Maps. At the very least, this should help keep the app size fairly small.

Google Maps continues as it already does, adding features and information on its never-ending quest to grow and stay ahead of the curve. Apple Cards.

Conclusion

I don’t know what Google has planned for Waze in the future. It’s clear that the app isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, otherwise Google wouldn’t be adding really cool new features and tools. Like the AI-powered conversational reporting. But there will be a point where Waze and Google Maps look a little too similar, and big companies like Google are rarely fans of redundancy.

So rather than ultimately merging Waze and Google Maps, something should be done to help keep Waze separate and distinct. In a world where Google Maps is turning into a massive repository of information, as if an encyclopedia and a street map had a baby, the best thing Waze can do is go in the opposite direction. Strip down, trim the excess fat, and focus on what he does best.